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Half of U.S. adults have periodontal disease

Details: Published: Monday, 12 November 2012 12:26; Written by News Editor; Hits: 1525

One out of every two American adults age 30 or older has periodontal disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research. The findings were collected as part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S.

The data indicate that 47.2%, or 64.7 million American adults, have some form of periodontal disease. In adults older than age 65, prevalence rates increase to 70.1%.

The 2009-2010 survey included, for the first time, a full-mouth periodontal examination. Because periodontal disease is not evenly distributed in the mouth, prevalence estimates from surveys using PMPE protocols may have underestimated the severity of the disease within the U.S. population by as much as 50%, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) noted in a press release. The 2009-2010 NHANES survey collected measurements from six sites per tooth for all teeth (except third molars) in U.S. adults.

The data indicate prevalence disparities among certain segments of the U.S. population. Periodontal disease is higher in men than women (56.4% versus 38.4%) and is highest in Mexican-Americans (66.7%) compared with other races. Other segments with high prevalence rates include current smokers (64.2%); those living below the federal poverty level (65.4%); and those with less than a high school education (66.9%). teeth, periodontal disease may take on more prominence in the oral health of the U.S adult population.

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Half of U.S. adults have periodontal disease

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